Water-treatment particle and a method of manufacturing thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of manufacturing water-treatment particles comprises respectively preparing a particle-fabricating solution that comprises chitinous composition and a forming solution first. Next, a complex solution is prepared by adding calcium sulfite into the particle-fabricating solution. Finally, the complex solution is pumped into the forming solution to form water-treatment particles. In addition, water-treatment particles manufactured by the method above are also disclosed in the specification.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number95148601, filed Dec. 22, 2006, which is herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a water filtering material. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a water-treatmentparticle to remove chlorine from water.

2. Description of the Related Art

During the process of purifying water, some chlorine is added to waterto inhibit the growth of microorganisms so that the viable count ofbacteria can be controlled within a standard scale. However, chlorineremaining in water will cause skin lesions after long-term contact withchlorine. Therefore, various types of chlorine-removing materials havebeen developed.

Nevertheless, common chlorine-removing materials in the market neitherfunction well to filter chlorine, nor remove chlorine efficiently whilethe flow amount of water is large. Furthermore, as the temperatureincreases, the efficiency of removing chlorine of these materialsdecreases and can not maintain ideal chlorine-removing efficiency. Thislimits the application of the chlorine-removing materials. Besides,after being used for a long time, these conventional chlorine-removingmaterials cause the growth of bacteria which might contaminate water.

For the forgoing reasons, a new material filtering water is needed whichnot only removes chlorine efficiently but also can inhibit the growth ofbacteria after being used for a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to provide water-treatment particleswith better chlorine removing efficiency.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide amethod of manufacturing water-treatment particles. First, aparticle-fabricating solution comprising chitinous composition and aforming solution are prepared respectively. Next, calcium sulfite isadded to the particle-fabricating solution to form a complex solution.Finally, the complex solution is pumped into a forming solution to formwater-treatment particles.

In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the presentinvention, the step of preparing the particle-fabricating solutioncomprises adding chitinous composition to a acid solution. The chitinouscomposition is selected from a group consisting of chitin, chitosan,chitin derivatives, chitosan derivatives (e.g. phosphorylated chitin orcarboxy-methyl chitin (CM Chitin)), and a combination thereof. The acidsolution is an organic acid solution or an inorganic acid solution, suchas hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid solution, formic acidsolution, lactic acid solution, or citric acid solution. The formingsolution is a base solution or an anion polyelectrolyte solution whereinthe base solution is sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxidesolution, or barium hydroxide solution. The anion polyelectrolytesolution is tripolyphosphate salt solution, oxidized cellulose solution,or sodium alginate solution.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide awater-treatment particle which comprises a calcium sulfite and achitinous composition. The chitinous composition is selected from agroup consisting of chitin, chitosan, chitin derivatives, chitosanderivatives and a combination thereof, and mixed with calcium sulfiteuniformly so that a particle-shape is presented.

Compared with conventional filtering material, the chlorine removingefficiency of the water-treatment material above are not affected bytemperature. Furthermore, after being used for a long time, theseparticles still have better antiseptic effect which inhibit the growthof bacteria.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are by examples, and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of manufacturing water-treatment particlesaccording to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of manufacturing water-treatment particlesaccording to one embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers areused in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or likeparts.

Referring to FIG. 1, it illustrates a process of manufacturingwater-treatment particles according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. First, a chitinous composition is added to a acid solution toprepare the particle-fabricating solution (step 102). In the embodimentof the present invention, the chitinous composition is selected from agroup consisting of chitin, chitosan, chitin derivatives, chitosanderivatives (e.g. phosphorylated chitin or carboxy-methyl chitin (CMChitin)), and a combination thereof. The weight percentage concentrationof the chitinous composition in the particle-fabricating solution is1-30%. The weight percentage concentration of the acid solution is1-10%, which is either organic acid solution or an inorganic acidsolution. The inorganic acid solution is hydrochloric acid or phosphoricacid, and the organic acid solution is acetic acid solution, formic acidsolution, lactic acid solution, or citric acid solution.

Next, calcium sulfite is added to the particle-fabricating solution toform a complex solution (step 104) wherein the mixing weight ratiobetween the calcium sulfite and the particle-fabricating solution is0.1-10.

After that, a forming solution is prepared (step 106). The formingsolution is a base solution or an anion polyelectrolyte solution and theweight percentage concentration of the forming solution is 1-10%. Thebase solution is sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxidesolution, or barium hydroxide solution. The anion polyelectrolytesolution is tripolyphosphate salt solution, oxidized cellulose solution,or sodium alginate solution. Finally, the complex solution is pumpedinto a forming solution to form water-treatment particles (step 108).

The water-treatment particles manufactured by the process abovecomprises calcium sulfite and chitinous composition wherein thechitinous composition is chitin, chitosan, chitin derivatives, or otherchitosan derivatives. In addition, calcium sulfite and the chitinouscomposition are mixed uniformly so that a particle-shape is presented.The weight ratio between the calcium sulfite and the chitinouscomposition is 0.1-10.

During the process of filtering water, chlorine in water will beabsorbed by the chitinous composition of the water-treatment particles.Meanwhile, chloride ions will react with calcium to generate calciumchloride and sulfite ions so that chlorine remaining in water can beremoved. The preparation process is presented more detail in theexemplified embodiment as follows.

(I) The Preparation of Water-Treatment Particles

Referring to FIG. 2, it illustrates a flow chart of how water-treatmentparticles are manufactured according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. First, 5 g of chitosan was added to 100 ml of 2 wt % aceticacid to form a particle-fabricating solution (step 202). Next, 5 g ofcalcium sulfite was added to the particle-fabricating solution above toform a complex solution (step 204). On the side, 100 ml of 5% wt ofsodium hydroxide was prepared as a forming solution (step 206). Afterthat, the complex solution was pumped into the forming solution by apump (step 208). At this step, the complex solution was solidifiedquickly and turned into water-treatment particles comprising chitosanand calcium sulfite, when the complex solution contacted with the sodiumhydroxide solution. Finally, the solution was removed by filtering sothat water-treatment particles were obtained (step 210), and thesewater-treatment particles were washed by water to remove solutionsremaining on the surface of the particles (step 212).

(II). Chlorine-Removing Test at 25° C.

To examine whether the water-treatment particles manufactured couldprovide good chlorine-removing efficiency at either room temperature orhigh temperature, these particles were tested at 25° C. and 40° C.,respectively and also compared with other filtering materials.

First, several test samples were respectively flushed by 4 L, 20 L, 30L, 60 L, 120 L, and 240 L of tap-water at 25° C. with the flush speed 2L/min respectively. Then, residual chlorine in water was tested byresidual chlorine test strips. The results were shown in the followingTable I.

TABLE I result of chlorine-removed test at 25° C. Chlorine Removed (ppm)Water- Volume of treatment Chitosan Chitosan Water (L) Particles PowderFibers Carbon 4 3.6 1.3 3.4 3.0 20 13.2 6.0 11.0 10.0 30 17.7 8.7 15.813.3 60 30.9 16.1 29.5 13.8 120 56.7 27.0 39.7 23.4 240 107.1 43.8 55.335.4

After filtering different volumes of water, the amount of chlorineremoved by water-treatment particles, chitosan powders, chitosan fibers,and carbon were listed in Table I. According to Table I, no mater thevolume of water flushed, water-treatment particles obviously removedmore chlorine compared with other filtering materials. Especially, asthe volume of water filtered increased, the chlorine removing efficiencyof the water-treatment particles became more obvious. The amount ofchlorine removed even reached 107.1 ppm while filtering 240 L of water.

(III) Chlorine-Removing Test at 40° C.

According to the test results above, it shows that the water-treatmentparticles did have great ability to remove chlorine in water. However,to examine whether the water-treatment particles still maintain the sameefficiency at high temperature, they were test at 40° C., and alsocompared with other filtering materials. The results were listed in theTable II.

TABLE II result of chlorine-removed test at 40° C. Chlorine Removed(ppm) Volume of Water Water-Treatment Chitosan (L) Particles PowderCarbon 4 3.6 1.1 0.8 30 19.6 3.2 2.8

After filtering either 4 L or 30 L of water respectively, the amount ofchlorine removed by water-treatment particles, chitosan powders, andcarbon were listed in Table II. According to Table II, even though thetemperature was increased, the water-treatment particles still havebetter ability to remove more chlorine compared with other filteringmaterials, while filtering the same amount of water. The amount ofchlorine removed even reached 19.6 ppm while filtering 30 L of water.Furthermore, referring both Table I and Table II, it is noticed that asthe temperature increased to 40° C., the chlorine removing efficiency ofchitosan powders and carbon at 40° C. was apparently less than that of25° C., when filtering the same amount of water (e.g. 30 L). However,there is no big difference for the chlorine removing efficiency of thewater-treatment particles, no mater at 25° C. or 40° C.

(III). Antiseptic Effect Test of Water-Treatment Particles

Since general water filtering materials have to be soaked in water whilebeing used, it always results in the growth of bacteria and watercontamination. Therefore, the following test was to examine if thewater-treatment particles could provide better antiseptic effect. Threeportions of 0.1 ml water which had been filtered by the water-treatmentparticles, chitosan powders, and carbon respectively were cultured inagar media for one day, and then the viable count of bacteria in themedia were observed to examine the quality of water. The results wereshown in Table III.

TABLE III antiseptic effect test result of water-treatment particlesWater-treatment Chitosan Filtering Material Particles Power Carbonviable count of <10 ~1000 >2000 bacteria (cfu/ml)

According to Table III, for water filtered by the water-treatmentparticles, its viable count of bacteria was less than 10 cfu/ml.However, for water filtered by either chitosan powder of carbon, theviable count of these two samples increased 1000 cfu/ml, or even greaterthan 2000 cfu/ml. The antiseptic effect apparently decreased a lot,compared with that of the water-treatment particles. In view of above,the water-treatment particles provides better anti-septic effect whichinhibits the growth of bacteria and assures the quality of water.

(IV) Antiseptic Effect Test of Water-Treatment Particles after Used fora Long Time

The following test was to examine whether the water-treatment particlesstill maintain good antiseptic effect after being used for a long time.First, 0.5 g of water-treatment particles and carbon were soaked inwater for a month respectively. Then, water-treatment particles andcarbon were transferred to media containing Staphylococcus aureus(bacterial count: 2.3×10⁵) and cultured for 10 hours. Finally, thewater-treatment particles and carbon were observed. In this time, waterwhich was laid aside for month without any filtering material thereinwas used as the control. The results were shown in Table IV.

TABLE IV antiseptic effect test result of water-treatment particlesafter used for a long time Water-treatment Filtering Material ControlParticles Carbon Viable count of bacteria 2.6 × 10⁶ 1.8 × 10⁶ 2.2 × 10⁶(cfu/ml)

According to Table IV, it is noticed that the bacteria grew incrediblein the control that was laid aside for a month, and the viable count ofbacteria increased to 2.6×10⁶ cfu/ml after cultured. Similarly, theviable count of bacteria in the carbon sample was increased to 2.2×10⁶cfu/ml. This indicates that the antiseptic effect of carbon soaked inwater for a month decreased which can not inhibit the growth of bacteriaefficiently. However, after being soaked in water for a long time,water-treatment particles still maintain better antiseptic effect, andthe viable count of bacteria was only 1.8×10⁶ cfu/ml.

(V) Long-Term Efficiency Test of Water-Treatment Particles

The term, “long-term efficiency” herein indicates that the chlorineremoving efficiency after the filtering material has been used forseveral days or has filtered a great amount of water. Hence, thefollowing test was to test the long-term efficiency of water-treatmentparticles. In the test, the water-treatment particles were flushed by 4L or 120 L of water each day for successive 9 days, and the amount ofchlorine removed was recorded each day. The results were shown in TableV.

TABLE V long-term efficiency test result of water-treatment particlesVolume of Chlorine Removed (ppm) Water (L) Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 6 Day 8Day 9 4 3.6 3.7 3.6 3.8 3.7 3.7 120 56.7 67.2 60.5 76.3 62.4 66.3

Since there was not much difference between the results from day 1 today 9 days, only the results of day 1, day 2, day 3, day 6, day 8, andday 9 were listed in Table V. According to Table V, the chlorineremoving efficiency of the water-treatment particles was alwaysmaintained at certain level whether they were flushed by 4 L or 120 L ofwater each day for 9 days (i.e. the total volume of water filtered were36 L and 1080 L respectively). Even though the water-treatment particleswere used for several days continuously or flushed by a great amount ofwater, and the long-term efficiency was not reduced. Hence, thewater-treatment particles manufactured by the embodiment of the presentinvention do have great long-term efficiency.

In view of above, the water-treatment particles manufactured by theembodiment above not only have better long-term efficiency, but alsohave better chlorine removing efficiency, no matter at room temperatureor at high temperature. In addition, after being used for a long-time,these particles can still keep antiseptic effect so that they aresuitable for long-term kept in water.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the structure of the presentinvention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present inventioncover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fallwithin the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A method of manufacturing water-treatment particles, comprising:preparing a particle-fabricating solution that comprises chitinouscomposition; adding calcium sulfite into the particle-fabricatingsolution to form a complex solution; and pumping the complex solutioninto a forming solution to form water-treatment particles.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the step of preparing the particle-fabricatingsolution comprises adding the chitinous composition into a acidsolution.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the chitinous composition isselected from a group consisting of chitin, chitosan, chitinderivatives, chitosan derivatives and a combination thereof.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the weight percentage concentration of thechitinous composition in the particle-fabricating solution is 1-30%. 5.The method of claim 2, wherein the acid solution is an organic acidsolution or an inorganic acid solution.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the inorganic acid solution is hydrochloric acid or phosphoricacid.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the organic acid solution isacetic acid solution, formic acid solution, lactic acid solution, orcitric acid solution.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the weightpercentage concentration of the acid solution is 1-10%.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the mixing weight ratio between the calcium sulfite andthe particle-fabricating solution is 0.1-10.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the forming solution is a base solution or an anionpolyelectrolyte solution.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the basesolution is sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution, orbarium hydroxide solution.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein theweight percentage concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution is1-10%
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the anion polyelectrolytesolution is tripolyphosphate salt solution, oxidized cellulose solution,or sodium alginate solution.
 14. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising a filtering step after the step of pumping the complexsolution to obtain the water-treatment particles.
 15. A water-treatmentparticle, comprising: a calcium sulfite; and a chitinous compositionselected from a group consisting of chitin, chitosan, chitinderivatives, chitosan derivatives and a combination thereof whereincalcium sulfite and the chitinous composition mix uniformly so that aparticle-shape presents.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the weightratio between the calcium sulfite and the chitinous composition is0.1-10.